Big Dunc, probably the finest lad in the entire EPL, leaves his Goodison home in pursuit of managerial glory

Leaving a family home. It's always a poisonous moment in someone's life, especially if you spent decades there, building a larger-than-life connection with people that truly love you. Adore you to be more accurate.

It's one of those emblematic bittersweet moments when you cry the tears of both joy and sadness. Because the time has come to leave, and you're mature enough to start the next chapter, to build your own home, career and life.

That's why the Toffees are over-emotional. Their Big Dunc is leaving. The 50-year-old Scottsman Duncan Ferguson, Everton's assistant boss, has left his club as he looks to become a manager.

Ferguson scored 73 goals in 273 appearances for Everton in two spells from 1994 to 2006 before becoming an assistant coach.

He worked under seven different managers at Goodison Park and has been a caretaker twice - in December 2019 and January this year.

In his farewell message, he said:

"It's been an incredibly difficult one, but I need to move on, to take that next step in my career.

"Being a caretaker manager has given me the confidence to step into management," added Ferguson.

"The club has been fantastic with me. They've supported me all the way through my journey.

"It was difficult last season, but this club is definitely heading in the right direction. It's a fantastic club," he said.

"The team is in good hands with Frank (Lampard) as manager. He's been first class, and he wanted me to stay on, "explained Big Dunc.